ARRT Code of Ethics

• As of 8/1/09

Condensed and interpreted by T Hall

1.

• RT conducts self in professional manor

• Responds to pt. needs

• Supports associates and colleagues in providing quality health care

2.

• RT acts to advance profession

• Provide services to humanity with full respect for dignity of mankind

3.

• RT delivers pt care without bias to:

– Personal attributes– Disease or illness– Sex– Race – Creed or religion – Economic status

4.

• RT uses knowledge to operate equipment for the purposes designed

• Applies procedures and techniques appropriately

5.

• RT assesses situation, uses care and judgment and discretion

• Assumes responsibility for actions

• Acts in best interest of pt

6.

• RT observes and talks to pt to get information for Dr that will be helpful in diagnosis and treatment

• Does not read x-rays or offer diagnosis

7.

• RT demonstrates expertise in control of radiation to pt, self and others

8.

• RT practices ethical conduct appropriate to profession

• Protects pt’s right to quality radiologic technology care

9.

• RT respects confidences and privacy of pt

• Only reveals confidential information only when required by law or to protect the welfare of individual or community

10.

• RT strives to improve knowledge and skills through– CE– Professional activities– Sharing knowledge– Investigating new aspects of professional

practice

ARRT Rules of Ethics

As interpreted and condensed by T Hall

The Mandatory standards of acceptable professional conduct for all RTs

Violation could cause temporary or permanent loss of license!

1.

• Using fraud or deceit to procure, maintain or renew state license

2.

• Cheating on ARRT exam

– Copying or communicating with another

• Having another person take the test

• Stealing test from exam room

3. Not reporting-

• Conviction felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor (no speeding or parking tickets need be reported)

• All alcohol or drug violations Criminal proceeding where you are found guilty

• Military court martials involving, sex, drugs or pt. related infractions

4. Failure to report to ARRT

• Charges that may cost you your license in x-ray or in any allied medical field in a state

• Or that you have been refused to be given license by any state

5.

• Failure to perform radiologic technology with reasonable safety or skill

6.

• Engaging in unprofessional conduct

• Failure to follow federal, state or local rules regarding radiologic technology

• Any practice creating unnecessary danger to pt life, health or safety

– Actual injury does not have to be established

7.

• Accepting or delegating any RT function that might reasonably harm Pt.

– No one actually has to be harmed

8.

• Actual or potential inability to perform duties with reasonable skill and safety to pt.s due to illness, drugs, alcohol or any mental or physical condition

9.

• Continuing to practice after you have been declared mentally ill, chemically dependent or a danger to the public by the court

10.

• Any unethical behavior involving trying to deceive, defraud or harm public

• Careless disregard for health, welfare safety of pt.

• (actual injury need not be established)

11.

• Engaging in behavior that is sexual or could be interpreted as sexual

• Seductive behavior

• Sexually exploitive behavior

• (rule does not apply to pre-existing consensual relationships)

12.

• Revealing priviledged information about pt unless permitted or required by law

13.• Knowingly engaging in fraudulent billing

practices (including medicare and medicaid)

14.

• Failure to keep adequate pt records

• Refusing to refurnish record or report required by law

• Falsifying or making misleading entries

15.

• Allowing person without a license, or up-to date license to practice radiology

16.

• Violating any federal or state rules relating to radiography

• Or relating to narcotics or controlled substances

17.

• Knowingly falsifying information relating to care of a present or past patient

• Practicing outside the scope of your license

18.

19.

• Failing to cooperate with ARRT ethics committee

• Making false statements, knowingly providing false information, or failing to cooperate with any investigation by ARRT

20.

• Engaging in false or deceptive communications to any one re: individuals education, training, credentials regarding license or permits or certificates

21.

Knowing of any violation of Rules or Ethics by a tech or student and failing to promptly report in writing to ARRT!

22.

• Failing to immediately report error to supervisor about imaging, care or treatment of pt. that might be considered harmful or unethical

• Or omissions or negligence of duties that should have been performed

• Doesn’t matter if pt was injured or not!

23. Continuing Education (CE)

• Sending in false statements

• Sharing answers

• Verifying unearned CE credits or providing false certificates